Transportation: Enhancement Activities

The Federal government requires transportation enhancements to fit one of the twelve activities listed below and to be related to surface transportation. Individual states may have additional requirements.  In addition, the Federal government offers guiding questions and principles on eligibility of transportation enhancement funding.

Those items marked with an asterisk (*) are most commonly used for preservation-related projects.

  1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles. Examples: New or reconstructed sidewalks, alkways, or curb ramps; Bike lane striping; Bike parking and bus racks; Bike and pedestrian bridges or underpasses.
  2. Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Examples: Non-construction safety-related activities, such as a safety promotional campaign; Bike/pedestrian safety training.
  3. Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.* Examples: Acquisition of scenic land easements, vistas, and landscapes; purchase of buildings in historic districts or historic properties; preservation of farmland.
  4. Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities).* Examples: Construction of turnouts and overlooks; Installation of designation signs and markers; Construction of tourist and welcome centers.
  5. Landscaping and other scenic beautification. Examples: Street furniture; Lighting; Public art; Landscaping.
  6. Historic preservation.* Examples: Preservation of buildings in historic districts; Access improvements to historic sites. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities
  7. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings.  Restoration of historic railroad depots, bus stations, ferry terminals and piers, and lighthouses; rehabilitation fo rail trestles, tunnels, canals and bridges;
  8. Preservation of abandoned railroad corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails). Examples: Acquiring rights-of-way; Planning, designing, and constructing multi-use trails; Developing rail-with-trail projects; Purchasing unused property for reuse.
  9. Control and removal of outdoor advertising. Examples: Billboard inventories; Removal of illegal and non-conforming billboards.
  10. Archaeological planning and research. Examples: Research, preservation planning, and interpretation; Developing interpretive signs, exhibits, and guides; Inventories and surveys.
  11. Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity. Examples: Wetlands acquisition and restoration; Storm drain stenciling and river clean-ups; Water pollution studies.
  12. Establishment of transportation museums.* Examples: Construction of a new facility or wing to an existing facility; Conversion of an existing facility, such as railroad stations or historic properties; The purchase of artifacts.